I realize some may have already done this. But regardless of how this season plays out — a return to the playoffs or another lottery pick — the 2019-20 season has the potential to play out much differently for the Blackhawks.

First, there’s the likely arrival of three promising young defensemen in Adam Boqvist, Nicolas Beaudin and Ian Mitchell. Boqvist and Beaudin are already signed for next season, and Mitchell will probably follow after his college season. All three are off to strong starts this year, and Stan Bowman hasn’t been able to contain his excitement.

“I think those guys are going to be really high-level players,” Bowman said just Monday.

Of course with that trio coming in, it will likely mean some interesting roster decisions ahead for the Blackhawks with Erik Gustafsson, Henri Jokiharju, Duncan Keith, Brandon Manning, Connor Murphy and Brent Seabrook already signed for next...